Gloucestershire have appointed former England spinner Richard Dawson as their new head coach.
The 34-year-old has left his position as Yorkshire second team XI coach in favour of replacing John Bracewell at the Bristol County Ground, where he has previously played and worked.
Gloucestershire announced they were cutting ties with former New Zealand international and coach Bracewell in December as part of a cricket operations restructure at the club.
And chief executive Will Brown confirmed that Dawson, who has previously worked as an England Performance Programme Spin Coach, beat off strong competition to secure his position in the newly-created role.
He said: “We are delighted to have secured Richard as our new head coach. He brings a wealth of coaching experience through his time with Gloucestershire, Yorkshire and as a former England Performance Programme Spin Coach.
“We saw some very good candidates but he really shone through during the recruitment process. I would like to place on record my thanks to Yorkshire for their co-operation in allowing Richard to join us with immediate effect and we can look forward to a successful 2015 season with him at the helm.
“Following on from Richard’s appointment we now plan to begin our search for an assistant head coach in the next two weeks.”
Doncaster-born Dawson played for Yorkshire, Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire during a 12-year playing career that also saw him win seven England Test caps.
After making his debut in India in December 2001, Dawson also played four games during the 2002/03 Ashes series against Australia.
He retired at the end of the 2011 campaign while at Gloucestershire and remained with the club as specialist spin-bowling and one-day coach.
Dawson rejoined home county Yorkshire at the beginning of last season, replacing Paul Farbrace as second XI coach, but has returned to Bristol where his family are based.
Dawson, who inherits a youthful-looking squad lacking the presence of the Gidman brothers, said: “This is my first head coach role so I know it will be tough but I am looking forward to the challenge.
Watch the first interview with new head coach Richard Dawson https://t.co/Bb9ZOWKeBV
— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) January 30, 2015
“During my time with Yorkshire I was fortunate to work with some outstanding coaches, players and backroom staff. I learned a lot from them and look forward to putting that into practice at Gloucestershire.
“We have a good young squad here and my aim will be to help them compete in all competitions. We will be working hard every day to try and make the small improvements that will bring us success on the field.”
Dawson’s departure from Headingley means Yorkshire are on the lookout for a third second XI coach in four years.
Chief executive Mark Arthur said: “We are disappointed to be losing him, he has been a crucial part of our coaching structure however we understand he’s an ambitious person who truly deserves this opportunity.
“His work with the second team and his assistance to Jason with the first team throughout the year have been excellent and we will all miss him and what he has brought to our club.
“We wish him every success in his future career development.”
We are sad to see Richard Dawson leave us here at Yorkshire. GCCC have secured an absolute diamond. Great bloke, great coach. #goodluckmate
— Jason Gillespie (@YCCCDizzy) January 30, 2015